Material Specification
Material Specification is a detailed list that stage designers create to describe all the materials needed for building sets, props, and costumes in a theater production. It's like a comprehensive shopping list that includes everything from fabric types to wood materials, along with their quantities, qualities, and special requirements. This document helps both the design team and the production managers understand exactly what materials are needed, how much they cost, and where to source them. Other people might call this a "materials list," "design specifications," or "technical specifications."
Examples in Resumes
Created detailed Material Specification documents for 12+ major theater productions
Managed budgets through precise Material Specification and sourcing
Developed sustainable Material Specifications that reduced production costs by 25%
Collaborated with directors to align Material Specification with artistic vision
Typical job title: "Stage Design Specialists"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Stage Design Specialists
Professional Organizations
Online Resources
Job Boards
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you handle budget constraints while maintaining design quality in your material specifications?
Expected Answer: A senior designer should discuss strategies for finding alternative materials, negotiating with suppliers, and maintaining artistic vision while staying within budget constraints. They should mention experience with cost-saving techniques and when to make appropriate compromises.
Q: How do you ensure your material specifications meet safety regulations while achieving the desired artistic effect?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate knowledge of theater safety standards, fire regulations, and how to balance these with artistic needs. Should discuss experience coordinating with safety officers and building inspectors.
Mid Level Questions
Q: How do you organize and present material specifications to different departments?
Expected Answer: Should explain their system for creating clear, organized documents that both creative and technical teams can understand, including how they handle revisions and communications with different departments.
Q: What factors do you consider when selecting materials for different types of productions?
Expected Answer: Should discuss durability, cost, availability, ease of working with the material, and how different materials suit different types of productions (touring vs. stationary shows, indoor vs. outdoor venues).
Junior Level Questions
Q: What basic information do you include in a material specification document?
Expected Answer: Should list essential elements like material names, quantities, dimensions, colors, textures, and any special handling requirements. Should understand basic formatting and organization of specification documents.
Q: How do you research materials for a new production?
Expected Answer: Should describe using supplier catalogs, online resources, consulting with experienced colleagues, and understanding basic material properties and costs.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic material documentation
- Understanding common stage materials
- Simple cost calculations
- Basic CAD or drawing skills
Mid (2-5 years)
- Detailed specification writing
- Budget management
- Material sourcing
- Coordination with multiple departments
Senior (5+ years)
- Complex project management
- Advanced budget optimization
- Safety regulation compliance
- Team leadership and training
Red Flags to Watch For
- No knowledge of basic theater materials and their properties
- Unable to create organized documentation
- Lack of understanding about theater safety requirements
- No experience with budgeting or cost estimation
Related Terms
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